The PTI, in its manifesto, states that it is "committed to delivering an industrial strategy that contributes to growth and employment, and encourages SMEs to scale up and move toward value-added exports".

To fulfill this promise, the party says it will "establish pilot SME Incubators across Pakistan" and launch a ten-year tax incentive plan.

Source: PTI Manifesto 2018

Updates:

March 4, 2022: Bank advances to SMEs jump by 20pc (read details)

March 1, 2022: PM Imran announces industrial package, says govt will remove all obstacles for SMEs (read details)

Feb 28, 2022: PM announces tax exemption for companies and freelancers in IT sector; capital gain tax for IT startups (read details)

Feb 18, 2022: KP govt, Bank of Khyber agree to launch Rs12bn SME refinancing initiative (read details)

Jan 19, 2022: PM Imran launches special policy for small and medium enterprises (read details)

Dec 15, 2021: Govt allows Rs10m collateral-free loans in SME policy (read details)

Aug 27, 2021: Tarin unveils economic plans for 14 key sectors, including SMEs (read details)

Aug 16, 2021: Scheme introduced for SMEs to get loans without collateral (read details)

June 30, 2021: SME sector being incentivized to generate economic activity, says PM Imran (read details)

June 25, 2021: SME sector given tax relief, says Tarin (read details)

June 18, 2021: KP budget: Rs10bn allocated for revival of SMES affected due to Covid-19, women (read details)

June 16, 2021: Punjab industrial development budget new schemes include SME estate in Gujrat (read details)

June 14, 2021: NA approves legal amendments to increase SMEs financing (read details)

June 12, 2021: Govt withdraws taxpayers profile condition (read details)

June 11, 2021: Rs12bn allocated for SMEs in budget (read details)

June 10, 2021: Govt will devise policies to facilitate SMEs: Tarin (read details)

May 21, 2021: ECC approves Rs60bn refinancing and credit guarantees for SMEs (read details)

May 11, 2021: Rs60bn collateral-free loan plan for SMEs in the works (read details)

May 6, 2021: Meeting held to discuss features of new credit scheme for SME sector (read details)

April 30, 2021: Promotion of SMEs among mega development package for GB (read details)

April 28, 2021: Govt introduces largest ever economic stimulus package for SMES: Tarin (read details)

April 6, 2021: Govt giving special emphasis to promotion of SMEs to take economy forward, says PM (read details)

April 1, 2021: Interest-free loan scheme for tribal districts launched (read details)

February 11, 2021: Tax policy unit set up after delay of two years (read details)

January 16, 2021: Govt working to support SMEs, says Dawood (read details)

December 17, 2021: SMEs important in stabilising economy: PM Imran (read details)

November 28 2020: KP govt plans massive sectoral reforms to promote business in tribal districts (read details)

November 14, 2020: PM Imran has formed NCC to facilitate SMEs: Hammad Azhar (read details)

November 13, 2020: Clearance system for e-commerce developed (read details)

November 3, 2020: Major power tariff relief for industries (read details)

September 21, 2020: PM considering setting up full fledged textile sector very soon to focus on SME sector, says Usman Dar (read details)

October 22, 2020: Special focus should be given to facilitation of traders in SMEs sector, says PM (read details)

October 19, 2020: SME sector a priority for State Bank (read details)

October 8, 2020: PM Imran prioritises ease of doing business (read details)

Aug 12, 2020: PM forms body to facilitate small businesses (read details)

July 31, 2020: KP govt to invest in small and medium enterprises (read details)

July 22, 2020: SMEs urge government to announce policy amid health crisis (read details)

July 20, 2020: Dawood directs enforcement of GI law to support SMEs (read details)

July 10, 2020: SBP to lessen documentation for SMEs so they can take advantage of refinance scheme (read details)

July 20, 2020: Dawood directs enforcement of GI law to support SMEs (read details)

June 17, 2020: ECC augments loss coverage for SME loans to prevent layoffs (read details)

June 15, 2020: Budget 2020-21: Rs56bn tax relief for small businesses in Punjab budget (read details)

July 11, 2020: Pakistan likely to ease regulatory curbs to boost economy (read details)

June 10, 2020: 1,320 companies benefit from SBP relief package, says Reza Baqir (read details)

May 30, 2020: ECC approves criteria for disbursement of Rs200bn in power sector received through Islamic Sukuk (read details)

May 18, 2020: KE announces relief for SMEs through prepaid bills (read details)

May 12, 2020: State Bank extends financing limits under Rozgar scheme (read details)

May 8, 2020: Govt mulls two new schemes for SME sector, says Hammad Azhar (read details)

May 7, 2020: Registry launched to boost small business financing (read details)

May 7, 2020: Assistance package: PM aide discusses relief for SMEs (read details)

May 7, 2020: Protecting SMEs is govt’s top priority: Dr Hafeez (read details)

May 6, 2020: Govt promises to bear 40pc first loss to banks on SME loans (read details)

May 6, 2020: Punjab finance minister reviews extension of small loans, SMEs and rural entrepreneurship (read details)

April 27, 2020: Package for SMEs to also increase employment in construction sector: Azhar (read details)

April 26, 2020: ECC approves Rs50bn support package for SMEs (read details)

April 19, 2020: Dawood hints at scheme for small businesses (read details)

April 13, 2020: Support scheme for SMEs on the anvil (read details)

April 12, 2020: SMEs slate govt for being selective in support (read details)

April 4, 2020: SBP expands scope of relief package (read details)

March 26, 2020: SBP issues relief package for households, businesses as Covid-19 cases surge (read details)

March 25, 2020: SCCI demands inclusion of SMEs in relief package (read details)

March 24, 2020: Rs1.2tr stimulus package aimed at supporting poor, helping industry: Hammad Azhar (read details)

March 24, 2020: PM Imran announces financial stimulus package to mitigate economic fallout from Covid-19 (read details)

February 20, 2020: Small units want all-inclusive SME policy (read details)

January 2, 2020: Abu Dhabi announces $200m for Pakistan's SMEs (read details)

December 6, 2019: PM Imran distributes cheques under 'Kamyab Jawan' programme (read details)

December 6, 2019: Small & medium enterprises to get priority for loans: PM (read details)

November 27, 2019: FBR dead set on netting undocumented SMEs: Zaidi (read details)

November 26, 2019: Minister hopes Pakistan’s EODB ranking will climb further (read details)

November 26, 2019: Govt increases private sector credit to SMEs (read details)

November 22, 2019: Chinese SMEs eager to relocate to Pakistan (read details)

November 15, 2019: CCoP directs to expedite privatisation process of SME Bank & PIA Investment Limited (read details)

November 12, 2019: Listing rules for SMEs, startups approved (read details)

October 26, 2019: PM Imran directs economic team to promote SMEs (read details)

October 21, 2019: PTI govt reviews proposals for cottage industry (read details)

October 18, 2019: Business loans to be provided to potential young entrepreneurs: Usman Dar (read details)

October 10, 2019: PM directs to complete legal and administrative reforms to revive sick industries (read details)

October 5, 2019: ITC’s initiative to help livestock, horticulture SMEs (read details)

September 28, 2019: Rs6 billion allocated to issue loans to businesswomen, says Firdous (read details)

Septemeber 16, 2019: PMYAP renames SME scheme as ‘Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme’ (read details)

September 6, 2019: Inspection-less regime for SMEs to spur growth: PM (read details)

August 30, 2019: PM directs to promote dialogue with business community for economic stability (read details)

August 20, 2019: Imran Khan's govt focused on boosting industrial potential (read details)

August 7, 2020: Modaraba-based financing for SMEs introduced (read details)

July 13, 2019: 'Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan SME Lending Programme' launched by SBP (read details)

June 24, 2019: PM Imran forms body to ease business registration (read details)

May 29, 2019: Poultry industry project gets access to direct financing (read details)

May 27, 2019: Five big fisheries projects worth Rs4.6bn proposed for merged areas (read details)

May 08, 2019: Subsidised loan scheme for farmers, SMEs planned (read details)

May 03, 2019: National Steering Committee reviews draft of SME policy (read details)

April 25, 2019: Govt plans new body for effective policy implementation (read details)

Feb 11, 2019: Govt aims to create 'a million jobs' for youth under Kamyab Jawan Programme (read details)

Feb 03, 2019: Govt likely to offer incentives for SEZs’ success (read details)

Jan 23, 2019: Reduction and abolishment (in some cases) of duties on raw materials to support export industries (read details)

Jan 23, 2019: Tax on income generated from loans to small businesses, agriculture sector and low-income housing to be reduced from 39pc at present to 20pc (read details)

Dec 25, 2018: Subsidy for sunflower farmers (read details)

Dec 18, 2018: Govt working to facilitate SME, exporters: PM Imran (read details)

Dec 8, 2018: Govt framing national tariff policy to boost exports (read details)

Dec 6, 2018: Supplementary grant of Rs25.75 billion for provision of subsidy to zero-rated export-oriented industries (read details)

Dec 6, 2018: National Steering Committee holds first meeting for revision of SME Policy (read details)

Dec 6, 2018: Govt is taking various measures to create conducive environment for SMEs, says minister (read details)

Dec 4, 2018: Government allows sugar millers another 100,000 tonnes of export (read details)

Dec 3, 2018: Steps will be taken to increase export of drugs, says minister (read details)

Dec 2, 2018: President Alvi urges nation to buy local products (read details)

Nov 22, 2018: PM approves 5-year plan for boosting economy including promotion of SMEs (read details)